A DIVER from Wirral died at a notorious accident blackspot in North Wales on Saturday - the seventh person to lose his life there in the past two years alone.

Police divers brought in a special underwater robot to search for Jason Dean, from Wallasey, after an initial search failed to find him.

Emergency crews were alerted after Mr Dean, thought to be an engineer, failed to surface at the flooded former Dorothea slate quarry at around 11.30am on Saturday.

The body of the 31-year-old was found at 4.30pm yesterday.

Mr Dean was one of a group of five divers from the Wirral area who told other divers at the quarry they planned a dive to about 30-35 metres.

Diving instructor Stewart Tattersall, from Chester, said he believed they had planned to go diving at sea but the bad weather caused their boat trip to be cancelled.

Once at the quarry, they split into two groups. Mr Dean went diving with a friend while three others went diving in another part of the quarry.

Mr Tattersall said: "I was preparing for a dive when I heard shouting and yelling. I saw a man waving his arms about and shouting. I made my way across and helped him from the water.

"He said they had encountered problems at about 50 metres and he had made a rapid descent. He was put on oxygen until an ambulance arrived."

The other diver was taken to hospital but was allowed home after a check-up.

Mr Dean, from Earlston Road, is the 21st person to die while diving in the quarry in the past 10 years.

Last night, neighbour Margaret Owens said: "We have known Jason and his wife, Hayley, since they moved into their home a couple of years ago.

"They were a pleasant, quiet couple who were both keen divers."

The pool - up to 300ft deep in places and with a network of flooded tunnels and sheer drops - is a favourite training location for amateur divers from across the UK despite its evil reputation.

Despite the tragedy, early yesterday morning around two dozen divers were still preparing to take to the waters - described by experienced divers as "the best inland diving site in Britain".

All were trespassing and defying requests for them to stay away until a diving centre with safety and rescue facilities is created at the site. Most were aware of Saturday's incident but were unaware of the circumstances.

Tony Fukes, 53, from Nottingham, said: "We've heard various stories but we don't know what happened and it would be wrong to speculate now. It's very sad what has happened, very sad indeed for the man and his family."

Mr Tattersall said most of the accidents were avoidable.

"It is undoubtedly the best inland diving pool in England and Wales, both for training beginners and deep divers because its clear water allows good visibility and there are no strong currents," he said.

Mr Tattersall added: "I have to be honest and say that there have been too many accidents here.

"It is such a popular diving site that, with the best will in the world, accidents will happen.

"But, with proper training, most accidents are avoidable."

Divers have repeatedly called for proper facilities to be provided at the quarry which has been used by divers since it flooded after work stopped in the late 1960s.

In the past, quarry operator Glynn Small attempted to block access to the site.

Gates have been locked and boulders and machinery placed in the way, but without success.

Last month, a judge at Caernarfon County Court ordered Mr Small to hand back the 300-acre site to its owner, Hampshire-based businessman Brian Harman.

A spokesman told the Daily Post last night that, once the repossession is completed, the site will be sold to an unnamed buyer who is ready to develop it into a top-class diving centre.